Thai police have issued a stark warning through an official internal document, revealing intelligence about a potential terrorist plot targeting Israeli tourists attending the "Full Moon" party in Koh Phangan, an island known for its monthly Full Moon Party celebrations. This revelation, first reported by Ynetnews on Tuesday morning, highlights the heightened security concerns surrounding the event, which is highly favored by Israeli tourists and scheduled for Friday, November 15, coinciding with a holiday in Thailand.
In response to this threat, Thai authorities have intensified police activities on the island, establishing numerous checkpoints. Sources privy to the situation have indicated that the intelligence is specific, suggesting a concrete plan to target Israelis, who number in the thousands, possibly even tens of thousands, currently residing on the island.
An Israeli security source has acknowledged the issue, affirming that it is being addressed independently of the Thai police report.
The Israeli tourists also have been warned against visiting Chabad houses in Thailand by the National Security Council.
Koh Phangan is famed for its dazzling Full Moon parties – vivid, energetic beach gatherings that continue from night until morning, celebrated on the night before or after the full moon. These events are particularly popular among Israeli tourists.
"For several months, a number of events have been managed in the Thailand arena, which Israeli security forces, in cooperation with Thai security forces, are working to thwart. Following updated information and the growing concern for harm to Israelis and Jews across Thailand, the National Security Council advises the public: Increase vigilance in Thailand. The NSC calls on the Israeli public in Thailand to heighten alertness and attentiveness to updates from its side on the matter," the Prime Minister's Office, representing the Mossad and the National Security Council, said in a statement.
"Currently, Thailand is a more dangerous place for Israelis than we assessed a few days ago," an NSC official told Ynet. "Even with the limited information we can share, it's clear that there is updated intelligence indicating an increased risk of harm to Israelis in Thailand. We urge the public to take the same precautionary measures. We are in a continuous assessment of the situation and may escalate the warning. There is an event with potential for terrorism that could be more severe, and we are currently working to thwart and prevent it."
He noted that there is a constant upward trend in efforts to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews worldwide: "There are always thwarted attempts that the public is unaware of. Where possible, we avoid issuing travel warnings. At any given moment, there are ongoing terrorist efforts globally, and there are continuous efforts to thwart and defend against them, and thankfully, most end successfully. We are engaged in a multi-faceted and multi-national effort."
He emphasized that the message regarding Thailand is not a travel warning: "We have not called for people to stay in their hotels, nor have we advised them to return home or avoid traveling to Thailand at this time. However, the situation is dynamic, and it is possible that later this evening, based on new intelligence, we may change the recommendation and possibly issue a travel warning for a specific location. For now, we have not reached that stage. Conversely, if there is a significant thwarting, arrests, and strong defense, we will try to lower the warning and discuss a return to normalcy."
NSC and Mossad have recommended several precautionary measures: avoiding large gatherings associated with Israel, especially those advertised in advance or held in venues linked to Israel; notifying local security forces of any hostile activities targeting Israelis or Jews; concealing Israeli or Jewish symbols; and refraining from sharing travel details on social media. "These guidelines apply to the entire country, without focusing on a specific area," according to the security agencies.
"From my experience, Israelis panic about everything, even if it's a fly turned into an elephant. But maybe this year, especially after what happened in the Netherlands last weekend, it's best to avoid gatherings and Israeli symbols. Personally, I recommend it," Erez Rot, a travel agent residing in the adjacent island of Koh Samui, who annually transports Israelis to Full Moon parties, said. He added that, since the outbreak of the war, tourism in Thailand has suffered, with significantly fewer Israelis vacationing there.
The anxiety over a potential attack in Thailand comes weeks after an unusual warning to Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, who were urged to immediately evacuate the Arugam Bay area due to fears of a terrorist cell operating there. Three suspects were subsequently detained by local authorities, and it was recently disclosed in a U.S. indictment that this was part of an Iranian plot.
According to the indictment, an man named Farhad Shakiri was tasked by a senior official in the Revolutionary Guards to orchestrate a mass shooting in Arugam Bay, a locale popular with Israeli tourists. Shakiri directed his aide, who was later apprehended by authorities in Sri Lanka, to surveil the area and lead the terrorist cell using AK-47 rifles and other weapons provided in advance.
Concern for the safety of Israelis abroad is further fueled by disturbances involving Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam last week, perpetrated by individuals of Arab and Muslim descent. Two days ago, the NSC advised Israelis to avoid attending the upcoming UEFA Nations League match between France and Israel, scheduled for this Thursday at the Stade de France in Paris. The event, deemed a "heightened security risk," will be secured by 4,000 police officers and special forces personnel, alongside 1,600 security guards from the French Football Federation.
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